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Reign Lose First in Steelhead Series, 3-2

by
Staff Writer
/ Los Angeles Kings

ONTARIO, Calif.- The Ontario Reign (37-18-5-3), proud affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings fell 3-2 to the Idaho Steelheads (26-29-2-6) for the first time this season before a crowd of 4,846 at Citizens Business Bank Arena on Tuesday night.

The first period began quietly until the Reign’s newest forward, Jason Beeman, was given a five minute major penalty of boarding paired with a game misconduct in his first appearance with Ontario. While on the power play, Idaho was able to get into the Reign zone and Ian Lowe sent a shot from the top of the circle past J.F. Berube. The Reign managed to kill off the remaining 3:37 of the penalty.

A slashing penalty put Kyle Kraemer into the box at 5:42, 16 seconds after getting out, he fired a hard shot past Jerry Kuhn to score a Reign, record-setting goal to tie the game. Kraemer’s tally marked the 215th goal of the season for the Reign. Pat Bowen extended his point streak to four games with an assist and Bill Bagron picked up the other assist.

Idaho broke the tie at the 4:21 mark of the third period with a goal by Derek LeBlanc. With an interference penalty sending Derek Couture to the box in his 400th professional game, Idaho converted the man-advantage for their second power-play goal of the game giving them a two goal lead.

Just as the buzzer sounded to end regulation, Couture sent one past Kuhn for his 13th power-play goal of the season giving him the league lead, Bagron earned his second assist on the goal.